Argentina will get the chance to defend its World Cup title in 2026 after becoming the first South American team to qualify for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico next year.
Argentina, which won its third World Cup title in Qatar in 2022, secured a place at the 2026 event ahead of its clash with Brazil later on Tuesday after BolÃvia failed to beat Uruguay in an earlier game.
The top six teams in South America qualify automatically for the first-ever 48-team World Cup, with the seventh-placed team entering an intercontinental playoff.
Argentina top the standings after 13 of its 18 games, 14 points ahead of Bolivia in seventh.
It remains to be seen if Lionel Messi, who scored twice in Argentina’s win over France in the 2022 final, will feature for his country at a record sixth World Cup in 2026.
The 37-year-old has not ruled out the possibility but has repeatedly said it is not his focus and hinted that the end of his career is near.
He has a contract with Inter Miami through the end of 2025.